Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I highlight to Senator Glynn that representatives of the health boards came to the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party meeting seeking support for their proposal that political representatives should be on the health boards. We gave unqualified support to these people. Perhaps the Senator might ask these questions of some members of his own party who were part of that group. We gave an unqualified commitment to oppose this measure. I appreciate that the Senator works hard as the chairperson of a health board and provides a good service. I know he will miss it when he is no longer a member. I still feel, however, that the new structures are fobbing people off. They have been put in place to avoid the meaningful inclusion of elected members.

People come into my office who have lost their medical cards or who need representations. Where are they to go now? They must go to the people who make decisions without the impartial influence of elected members. Doctors and consultants do not run for election. They are part of this €10 billion system which is wasting taxpayers' money — the money of the people who vote. Yet we are giving power to the vested interests. The only people who do not have a union are patients. Politicians stand up for the rights of patients. If we no longer have a say, it is a backward step. Members of the new structures may be appointed by the Minister and will probably receive a nice cheque for turning up at the meetings. However, they will have no input into this disastrous health system.